This was originally written for the WinterIron Holiday Exchange on Tumblr for Lienwyn and has been posted on AO3 as well under the same name and the same username. It was supposed to be a lot shorter but things happened and now we got this. Along the way I got inspired by art from 01091006. tumblr which you can find if you add post/ 99346422609 this to their url adress. It's a bit spoiler-y so I'll put the 'link' at the end of the last chapter as well. Enjoy!

James knew that he wasn't doing so well. Sure, he was trying, but according to the worried glances Steve and occasionally Natasha still threw him and then each other, he wasn't doing nearly well enough; either for them or for the general opinion on how recovery was supposed to go, he didn't know. And he didn't ask.

James wasn't much into talking these days, and if he said anything at all, it was usually biting and full of sarcasm. Steve heavily disapproved, though he usually tried not to let it show too much. James was jumpy, avoided touch like it burned him and he wouldn't go anywhere without at least one knife on him.

There had been more than one intervention about that, Steve demanding he tried to go without one, at least in the tower, or trying to coax him into only taking one knife at a time, but he hadn't been successful. Partly because James could be a stubborn son of a bitch and just didn't give a damn and partly because no one backed him up.

Natasha and Clint were never unarmed, that obviously came with being a spy and assassin, Thor was practically a weapon himself with how strong and indestructible he was, Bruce technically fell into the 'never unarmed' category because of the Hulk and Tony only looked at the metal arm, back to Steve and walked out of the room.

The metal arm was also a very touchy subject, but more so for Steve than for James. James knew that that part wholly belonged to Hydra and that it was probably perceived as nothing but a weapon by Steve, it was after all dangerous and it gave him an advantage additionally to being stronger than normal thanks to the serum, but for him it was just another part of his body. He had tried to explain that to Steve in the beginning but he would have none of it and sent him down to Tony's workshop, so that the arm could be taken off and be replaced by one that wouldn't be quite so strong.

Since James wouldn't go there himself, refusing to let anyone take the arm from him or make decisions for him, Steve escorted him there, dropping him off like a petulant child, while he told Tony what he wanted him to do and Steve only left when Tony nodded his agreement.

James had been on edge the whole time but that agreement was enough to make him furious, because it felt a lot like being with Hydra again; people making decisions about his body, not asking for his permission and when Tony turned around to him James was ready to punch him in the face, consequences be damned. Jarvis would alert Steve if he did it, no doubt about that, and it would give James the opportunity to hit him as well, so it didn't seem like the worst idea ever.

But Tony didn't approach him though; instead he sat back down and looked at him intently. "So. We heard what Steve wants. What do you want?" Tony asked him after a minute of silence.

James was taken aback by that, he hadn't expected to be asked about his opinion at all and it left him at a loss for words. "Okay, look," Tony eventually said. "I could probably do what Steve asked, well demanded is probably more apt here. And he's right, I could. No problem there. I don't know how the arm works yet, but taking it offline shouldn't be a problem. But going by the daggers you glared at us, I'm guessing you don't agree. So why don't you tell me what you want done and we can ignore Steve's orders."

James needed a second to get his thoughts straight but then he asked "You would go against Steve?"

Tony scoffed at that. "It's your arm. There's nothing for him to wish about that."

James hadn't spent that much time with Tony, sure there was the occasional team bonding thing that Steve dragged him to, but James got the distinct impression that the things he heard about Tony weren't all true. And he had heard a lot. People, especially Steve, seemed to forget that he could indeed listen to conversations even if he took no part in it. And James wasn't stupid, he had done his research on all members of the team and the internet had a lot to say about Anthony Stark, and mostly they weren't good things. This little act of kindness showed James that he would have to be a lot more careful with what he believed in though and he tried to put the knowledge he had already gathered through secondary sources to the back of his mind.

It seemed like he'd stayed quite too long for Tony and so he was jolted out of his thoughts when Tony clapped his hands. "So, what's it gonna be, Robocop?"

"I don't want you to take it off. Or offline, for that matter," James eventually said.

"Done. Do you want me to check it over or you just wanna sit there and evade the disapproving Captain?"

"I didn't peg you as someone who'd ask," James truthfully told him and Tony shrugged, though he seemed offended.

"I'm the guy who gets off on consent. In bed as well as normal interaction," Tony answered him.

James nodded at that but cradled his arm closer in a protective gesture. He knew that Tony would have to check the arm over eventually, it wasn't made for extensive use, only servable for the short times he was out of cryo-freeze, but James wasn't ready yet to let someone take it apart. It looked like his gesture had been telling enough because Tony turned away from him.

"All right, sitting it is. Don't touch anything, half the stuff is delicate and the other half is probably gonna blow up sooner or later, and don't take anything Dummy made you without checking with Jarvis first."

And that seemed to be all Tony was gonna say to him because a second later music blasted out of the speakers before James could even ask who this Dummy was.

When James had eventually resurfaced from the workshop Steve had already waited for him, presumably to check Tony's work, and he seemed angry that Tony hadn't done what he had asked of him. James didn't even spare him more than a glance and went back to the communal floor. James wasn't sure what happened after that but two days later Steve came to him and apologized for making assumptions and ordering James around. James had accepted the apology, but he was still wary of the things Steve wanted from him.

But ever since that first time James had found a strange fascination with the workshop, and the man who occupied it, and so it only took a few days before he found his way back down to it.

That first time James had come down to the workshop he hadn't really paid attention to much around him. He had looked around a bit but only noticed what was directly in front of him, too stressed out by the situation that took place before that.

That changed the second time he came down though. This time there was no immediate threat to him or his arm and so he was a lot more relaxed. He hadn't been sure if he was allowed to come down by himself, because he had never observed one of the others do it, but Jarvis didn't object, so James continued his way to the shop.

Tony was in it, that much was visible through the glass walls, but when James tried to enter, the door didn't move. He knocked on the glass but Tony didn't react and James supposed that he was listening to music again. He tried it a second time, hoping that maybe Tony would see the movement or something, but that didn't work either. James was about to leave again when Tony looked up at the ceiling, obviously irritated and saying something and then he turned around to the door. James gave a weak wave with his hand and just like that the door opened.

"What's up?" Tony asked with a careful look at his metal arm while James walked over to the same spot he had sat in the first time.

"Nothing?" James asked back, suddenly unsure if this had been a good idea after all. Maybe there was a reason no one ever came down here.

"Why are you here then?" Tony inquired with a frown and James slightly relaxed. "I wanted to spend some time here. I thought I could just sit there like the first time?" Tony stared at him for a little while longer, visibly taken aback, but then he nodded.

"Sure, eh, suit yourself, I guess." He started to turn away from James and back to his work but stopped to tell James: "The same rules apply, though. And be nice to Dummy and You."

Before James could ask who exactly those people were, Tony had warned him about Dummy the last time as well, the music was back on and Tony was already fiddling with something. James sat down, slightly wary of these other people in here. He came to the workshop because he didn't want to see anyone. Sure, Tony was here but James had counted on him being too engrossed in his work to actually pay attention to him or try to talk. And while it seemed like he had been right about Tony, he hadn't thought someone else could be here.

He suspiciously looked around the workshop, only now realizing how big it actually was. Tony was working in the front but the shop was really awfully big. James had the impression that the back was mostly used for testing but he could also make out some cars. But no other humans were to be seen and so James relaxed into the couch he had sat on before as well.

He watched Tony work, burning with questions but not daring to ask. He didn't know if Tony would be annoyed with his possibly rather stupid questions or if he even could explain anything. James knowledge of the technology of this century was awfully limited. Sure, he knew about tablets and AIs, the internet and smartphones, so he wasn't as lost as Steve probably was in all of this, but he lacked the general understanding of how things worked. They just were. He really wanted to know though; he just wasn't sure if asking Tony anything before he had the necessary basics down was a good idea.

And so instead of pestering Tony with his questions he kept quiet and settled down to watch. That was interesting enough in itself. He was so mesmerized by Tony's graceful and sure movements that it took some time before he noticed the noises that came from his right. He jerked back, away from the source of the noise, and then he just stared.

He wasn't sure what exactly it was that was standing next to the couch but it looked a lot like an arm with a claw at its end. It obviously was the source of the noise because while James looked on in confusion the arm tilted slightly to the side and it let out a string of beeps that sounded strangely inquiring to James. The arm moved a bit up and down when James didn't move and he only reacted when the arm reached for him.

James shot up from the couch, out of reach, only to bump into something that definitely hadn't been there when he first sat down. He turned around and to his utter surprise there was another arm behind him, making the same strange noises the one next to the couch did.

"Tony," he nearly shouted, still backing away from the couch, to put more space between the odd arms and himself.

"What?" Tony asked, sounding exasperated but he turned around and then a smile broke out on his face. "Ah, I see. You met Dummy and You."

"I met what?" James asked, still slightly backing away from the couch and closer to Tony. He didn't seem worried, so James figured there was no need for him to really put distance between those arm and himself but he couldn't help the instinct. Not until he knew exactly what they were.

"Those are the robots I warned you about?" Tony said to him and turned his back to the arms. James cringed at that, he still wasn't convinced they weren't a threat but they didn't move anymore, just shook their claws a bit.

"Robots?" James asked weakly and Tony frowned.

"I'm sure I mentioned them? At some point? I told you not to take any drinks from them."

That brought James full attention to Tony. "They are the… I thought you were talking about people. As in humans."

"Oh," Tony managed and then he doubled over in laughter. "Why would you think there are people down here? And people called Dummy and You, nonetheless?" he asked when he had managed to get some air.

"How was I supposed to know?" James inquired, voice a bit louder than normal. "This place is huge, what do I know what you hide down here. And I was a bit too worried by the prospect of other humans down here to wonder about their names!"

"Why would you be worried about other people being here?" Tony asked, instantly serious again as he tilted his head slightly, and James watched the robots mimic his movement. It was eerily similar, especially since they didn't have a face.

James shuffled on the spot, not sure how to put the need of being away from people into words and at the same time making it clear that Tony didn't somehow count without insulting him, but he couldn't and so in the end he just shrugged and went with "I don't like being around people somedays."

Tony's eyebrows shot up at that and he seemed taken aback. "But you come down here, specifically, and I'm always here."

"I know," James eventually answered and he shrugged again. "You're different? Not so imposing, maybe? I don't know. I can't explain it."

Tony didn't say anything to that but he watched him closely for a few seconds before he turned around to the robots again. "This is Dummy," he said and pointed at the one that James had noticed first. "And this is You." He pointed at the other one and both chirped when their names fell, sounding excited.

"I made Dummy when I was still in MIT and it shows, he is not the brightest one, and You came along a few years later as company for Dummy. They are essentially harmless though their lack of proper judgment could pose a serious threat sometimes. Mostly they are curious, though, and act a lot like children. Yes, I'm talking about you, Dummy, don't gimme that sad noise now. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

James watched their exchange in awe, surprised by how expressive Dummy seemed, even though he was only able to make various beeping sounds. You eventually joined them in their conversation and James silently continued to watch them until Tony turned back around to him.

"If Dummy ever approaches you with a fire extinguisher you run, because he will use it on you, no matter if you are on fire or not. I mean you're hot enough that it would be warranted, but I bet the arm is a bitch to clean."

James didn't know what to make of that, thinking that he had missed a vital conversation part, but when Tony continued to wait for an answer he nodded.

"Okay then. I really have to finish this prototype for Pepper now, so if you don't mind?" Tony asked him and pointed at his workbench.

"Yeah, sure," James said but he wasn't sure at all and he was still eyeing the robots carefully.

"My bots won't hurt you," Tony said, obviously picking up on James' hesitation but he didn't turn back around to him.

"Okay," James mumbled nonetheless and slowly walked back over to the couch. You and Dummy rolled a bit closer when he sat down on it again but they really seemed more curious than dangerous and James slightly relaxed back into the cushions.

The bots constantly chirped and beeped as if they were having a conversation and James was lured into a light doze by that. He jolted out of it when there was suddenly a claw on his metal arm.

James was instantly ready for a fight, no one touched him without his consent, not anymore, but the claw promptly retracted and Dummy was making a concerned noise.

"Mister Barnes, they don't mean any harm. They are just curious about your metal arm. It appears they think it belongs to, well, the family," Jarvis' voice explained and James could see that Tony was listening and watching them from the corner of his eyes but he didn't turn around to them.

"The family?"

"Ever since Sir came back with the arc reactor they seem to think that anyone with some sort of metal in or on their body belongs to the family."

At this Tony finally turned around. "What?" he asked and sounded confused. "Why didn't I know that? Was I not family before?"

"They were aware that you made them but ever since the arc reactor came into play they seem to think you are truly their father. I can't really explain it. Considering that they are relatively limited in their abilities their reasoning on that one is rather complex."

Tony stared off for a few seconds before he asked "What about Rhodey?"

"Colonel Rhodes is considered family since you gave him one of the suits."

"What about Pepper, then? She doesn't have any metal."

"That is correct, but ever since Dummy and You realized she takes care of you, she gained that status nonetheless."

"Like the caring mom to me being dad?" Tony asked and there was a strange undertone to his voice.

"More like the big sister, really," Jarvis immediately replied and Tony slightly relaxed.

"That makes Rhodey my brother or what?"

"It appears so, Sir."

"And what would that make me?" James asked and looked at the ceiling, curious about the answer. Tony looked curious as well but he had is gaze trained on James.

"So far they seem to think you are their brother, Mister Barnes. Their reasoning on this is relatively simple. It essentially says that anything or anyone with a metal arm must be a sibling."

James tried not to smile at that. Tony had no such inhibitions because he laughed out loud. "Welcome to the family then," he eventually said to James right before he turned back around to his work.

James was a bit stunned by that; it shouldn't be so easy to be accepted, not after everything he had done. But there seemed to be no lie in Tony's words, nothing that indicated that he didn't mean what he just said, and James was blindsided by the easy acceptance.

The bots chirped excitedly again and James relaxed back onto the couch. He extended his arm towards Dummy, who was quick to take a hold of it and turn it around.

James had expected some kind of force, the bots were metal after all and could probably restrict him, but he could only feel the lightest touch on the plates. They turned and bend the arm in every direction it could go and stopped when they realized there were some directions it couldn't go.

James couldn't even express how grateful he was for the careful consideration and the undeniable awe the bots treated his arm with. So far, the metal arm had been a thing to fear and while only Steve had made it incredible clear that he wanted the arm to be gone, James knew that the other inhabitants of the tower couldn't be too happy about it either. He had nearly killed Natasha and Sam with it and the others had to realize that it was an incredible dangerous weapon.

The only one who had any positive feelings towards the arm seemed to be Tony and James knew that he only waited for the moment he could get his hands on it. So far Tony hadn't made a move but James could see the little glances Tony threw the arm and how his eyes lit up whenever he did something that required absolute control.

So far no one had seemed to accept the arm just for what it was, another part of James, something that belonged to him, was under his control, and on the bad days it really grated on his nerves.

But the bots, they just seemed full of wonder and excitement for it and James enjoyed it to no end. And so he let the bots explore as much as they wanted, only dimly aware that at one point Tony had turned around to watch them for a few minutes before he turned back to his work again.

James thought that the bots were incredibly articulate, even without using proper words, and he could immediately tell if they were happy or displeased. The cadence and rapidity with which they made the noises told him enough about their mood and it was easy to respond to them, so much easier than actual human contact.

He enjoyed his stay there so much that he didn't even realized how time went by and the bots only let go of his hand when Steve walked into the workshop.

Steve seemed a bit taken aback by the view that presented itself but he recovered quickly and asked "Why are you not up yet?"

James turned his head around to him but before he could ask what he meant Tony already did that.

"Up for what?" Tony didn't even look away from his work and James could tell that Steve was irritated by it.

"Bruce cooked dinner? The team thing? That was kinda your idea?" Steve told them and now Tony turned around on his chair.

"That was today?"

"Is today. Like, right now. The food is getting cold as we speak."

James hadn't heard anything about this but he wasn't really surprised. He tended to avoid rooms with more than two people in them and he wasn't really angry that no one had thought to tell him. He wasn't part of this group, so a team building thing, which this obviously was, shouldn't include him anyway.

Something in his body language must have conveyed that particular thought because Steve turned towards him now. "If you can take this many people today, you're coming too, James."

It wasn't formed as a question but since Steve considered his bad days James felt enabled to say no if he really wanted to. He weighed his options for a bit, unsure if he would make it through a dinner with the team but before he could come to a decision Tony chimed in.

"Why don't you go on ahead, Captain, we'll be there in a minute."

Steve seemed suspicious but he nodded. "If you're not, we'll bring the party down to you."

Tony shuddered at that, he hated to have many people in his workshop, especially if they managed to leave a chaos behind. "We'll be there."

Steve walked back out after Tony said that and James curiously turned around to him.

"You know you can say no, right? You don't have to do what he says."

"I know that now. I was just trying to figure out if I could make it through the dinner without…" having a panic attack, though he didn't say that part. He didn't like having them and he also disliked having to tell people about them. So far, no one had noticed, at least he thought that, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"You can leave whenever you want. Come up with me, get some food, see how it goes. If it gets too much, or you feel overwhelmed, you take your plate and get out of there. No one will judge you for that."

Tony said it nonchalantly, like it wasn't a big deal, but it actually was, at least to James. He still had difficulties seeing all the options he had, other than a yes and no, and it really helped if someone pointed them out without telling him outright what to do. He wasn't sure if Tony was aware of what he just did but James was grateful nonetheless.

"Okay," James finally said and got up but Tony stopped him.

"You know you can also come down here whenever you want right? Jarvis will give you a code for the door, so you can come in even if I'm not here or when the music is on."

This time Tony was staring intensely at him and James felt how his throat got tight. It was an enormous amount of trust Tony had to be putting into him to give him access to the workshop whenever he wanted it and James knew that Tony was at least fully aware of what this meant to him.

"Thank you," he weakly managed after a few seconds, and Tony just shrugged.

"Not a problem."

With that he shut all his windows down and motioned for Jarvis to turn off the lights, while he walked to the door. He stopped when he realized that James wasn't following him immediately.

James was busy saying goodbye to the bots and so he didn't realize that Tony was smiling again until he turned around to finally leave.

"What?" he defensively asked him and Tony shrugged.

"Nothing."

James stared him down until Tony finally sighed and said "It's just been some time since someone treated my bots like … well, like they are actual people and not just some metal arms on rolls."

James hadn't expected that and he stared back at the bots. "But they are so expressive."

"That they are. It's just good to see someone else noticing this, that's all."

James nodded, because that he understood. He had been surprised when someone had treated him like a human and not a killing machine as well, so he could understand what Tony was saying. He gave a small smile back to Tony who seemed to remember what they were originally doing.

"Come on, let's go, Robocop, before they all come down here. I don't want Barton anywhere near my delicate work."

With a last look at the bots James followed Tony up the stairs and to a no doubt very stressful dinner.